Frequently Asked Questions

Section:

1. Regulations
2. DESE Supports & Engagement
   1. Integration with other Initiatives
      1. Licensure and Professional Development
      2. MA Curriculum Frameworks
      3. Educator Preparation
      4. Other District Priorities
   2. Model System
3. 5-Step Cycle & Summative Performance Rating
   1. Training
   2. Rubrics
   3. Goal Setting
   4. Evidence
   5. Student and Staff Feedback
   6. Formative Assessment/Evaluation and Summative Performance Rating
4. Background and History
5. View all

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III. 5-Step Cycle & Summative Performance Rating

2. Rubrics

   1. Does DESE plan to release additional rubrics for special education teachers, school counselors, nurses, or other specialists?

      DESE strove to highlight commonalities across educators by only developing four Model rubrics. DESE does not plan to create additional rubrics. However, in partnership with a range of professional organizations1, DESE has published a series of role-specific resources for school counselors, school business officials, school nurses, school psychologists, school librarians, occupational and physical therapists, and speech language pathologists. These resources do not replace the four Model rubrics but rather enhance them through a variety of approaches. For more information please see DESE's website on rubrics.

   2. Can the rubric be used as an observation tool?

      The rubrics are written to support educators and evaluators in making judgments about patterns of evidence, gathered across multiple points in time. Observation is a valuable way to gather evidence on performance against many, but not all, of the Standards and Indicators. The classroom teacher rubric, for example, includes many elements and Indicators that can only be assessed through means other than observation. The rubric is not designed to be a classroom observation tool and should not be used for that purpose.

   3. Do educators need to be evaluated on all four Standards every year?

      Yes. Educators need to be evaluated on all four Standards every year. DESE requires districts to report ratings on each of the four Standards as well as an overall Summative Performance Rating for every educator on an annual basis. For educators on plans one year or less in duration, they will receive ratings on each of the four Standards, as well as an overall Summative Performance Rating, at the conclusion of their Evaluation Cycle. For educators on two-year self-directed growth plans, a Formative Evaluation takes place at the end of year 1 (usually May or June), at which point they will receive ratings on each of the four Standards, as well as an overall performance rating. Formative Evaluation ratings default to the prior Summative Evaluation Rating unless there is significant evidence suggesting a change (603 CMR 35.06(5)(b)).

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¹ Massachusetts School Counselors Association (MASCA), Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials (MASBO), Massachusetts School Nurse Organization (MSNO), Massachusetts School Psychologists Association (MSPA), Massachusetts School Librarians Association (MSLA), Massachusetts Association of Occupational Therapists/Physical Therapists Association (MAOT/APTA), Massachusetts Speech and Hearing Association (MSHA)

Last Updated: August 16, 2018